Tombstone epitaph., 1887-12-03
A POLITE BURGLAR.

In the year l72l monsieur the regent and the bandit Cartouche reigned in Paris, the former on the throne of his uncle, Louis XIV, the latter on the roofs of the capital, of which he had a map carefully drawn. My lord the duke of Orleans, re- gent of France, had invented the fine sup pers of the Palais Royal and the masked balls of the opera; Cartouche, a man of refined habits, cold blooded and exceed ingly courageous, had, as my lord the duke of Orleans, his court, his bedroom and even his private surgeon. All Paris resounded with the puns and deeds of the amlable brigand, who recommended polite ness and good behavior to his cutthroats and pickpockets, wore out the gendarmes of monsieur the lieutenant of police, and even often thrashed them well and good.
 During the night of Holy Thursday madame the duchess de Boufflers, widow for the last ten years of monsieur the marshal de Boufflers, and handsome lady of 32 years of age, awakened from a peaceable slumber. By the faint light of a night lamp she saw the curtains of the balcony window opening, and man short of stature, but well made, with an agree able face, entered her bedroom. He had Alencon lace cuffs, red heels to his shoes, and the perfect demeanor of young lord. Tho duchess was very frightened, and she was on the eve of calling her servants, when the stranger said to her:
 "Silence, madamei Do not call, if you please"
 And drawing two pistols from his belt, he continued:
 'I am Cartouche and the street is swarming with the gendarmes of monsieur the lieutenant of police. enter your house, madame as either a thief or lover; but shall behave myself like gentleman. You see me all broken up with fatigue and mad with hunger. Therefore, madame the Duchess de Boufflers, I have the honor of asking a supper and bed from your we'll known kindness.'
 Saying so, and with hand richly gloved, Cartouche removed his hat and then bowed respectfully before the duchess, who raised herself on her elbow, in order to have good view of the strange visitor.
 ''Do not fear, madame, will not hurt youl Will you be charitable enough to ring the bell to summon your maid to your bedsidei You will tell her that you are hungry and to bring you a cold chicken and a bottle of champagne"
 "What are you saying, Monsieur Car !. t0uchef During the Holy Week no chicken is to be found in my house."
 s"Try, Madame the Duchess"
 Mime. de Boufflers obeyed, while Car touche hid himself behind the curtains of the window. The bold thief knew his mo- bility on the top of his finger and the point of his knife In fact, chicken and champagne were served on a silver tray, together with @ box containing silver fork, spoon and knife, exactly as in the king's palace. He was very talkative before and after eating and drinking. M. Cartouche amused Madame the Duchess de Boufflers a great deal.
 She examined him stealthily. Whati this man who was seated there in her own bedroom was this famous Cartouche, who, in the city as we'll as in the Palais Royal, residence of my lord the Duke of Orleans, regent of France. all people and courtiers dotted oni She thought him @ repulsive looking individual, and she found him very good looking young mau, and he was so very adventurous, bold and courageous, and he proved to be %, witty and sardonical as 6 demon. Now, the hunger of the bandit satisfied, what would happeni The question of fa- Ngue remained open. M Cartouche had said, "A supper and bed" Madame the Duchess de Bouflers felt an anguish very comprehensible.
 Pleasure yourself, madame" said Cartouche, with smile Che had guessed the thought of his hostess). "There is lounge on which will wait for the dawn of the day. You have nothing to fear from my friends tonight, madame. You may repose in peace; good night, and a good sleep to you, my charming benefac- tress"
 And saluting the duchess with the most exquisite politeness, Cartouche stretched himself on the lounge and fell asleep with out fear and without reproach, like Knight Bayard in person.
 The dawn of the day whitened the horizon.
 "Did you have a good sleep, madamei Allow me to retire and to thank you from the bottom of my heart. If have vio. lated so outrageously all the laws of absti- hence but one, on Holy Thursday, shall atone for this mortal sin by going to vespers next Easter Sunday at the church of Notre Dame Perhaps we will have, you, madame, the luck, and the honor of meeting each other"
 >~ A smile parted his cherry like lips, he \. .,laeed his pistols in his belt, bowed be- fore the duchess and disappeared through the balcony window without carrying with him anything from Madame the Duchess de Bouff1er's room.
 On Easter Sunday the Cathedral of Notre Dame was filled with people. The great aisle was obstructed with gigantic scaffoldings,i as they were repairing the vaults. Between mass and vespers Car touche divided his men in three bands. One was concealed between the chevrons like flight of sparrows in the branches of tree. Another mixed itself with the crowd entering the church; finally the last one was scattered at the exits
 The vespers began.
 At the first verse of the second Psalm those of the bandits hidden on the scaf- folding threw bricks, tools, mortar and ladders on the people below. Those in the cathedral cried that the vaults were going down; they made the auditorium crazy with fear, while those in the exits gathered watches, snuff boxes, purses, rings, bracelets, etc.
 Madame the Duchess de Boufflers had come to vespers, the words of Cartouche had decided her. She was exceedingly curious to see her nocturnal visitor in broad daylight
 At the beginning of the fracas gentle man rushed toward her. He put his arm around her waist. pushed the crowd aside with herculean strength and brought tha duchess unharmed to the portico.
 "1 was certain to meet you, Madame the Duchess, and for your good fortune. You have saved my bones from the wheel,